Is Ringworm Contagious?

Is ringworm contagious?

Yes, ringworm infection is contagious. Ringworm infection is mildly contagious or highly contagious, and is spread by direct physical contact. Spreading requires skin-to-skin contact, often it is enough to touch an infected surface and you can get it. Ring worm transmission is possible via person to person, animal to person or rarely soil to person.

• Ringworm transmissions from person to person are more common in crowded living conditions and warm climate. The fungus can contaminate hairbrushes, clothing, towels, bed sheets and the backs of seats or public transport surfaces. The spores are long lived and can infect another individual months later.
• Ringworm transmission from animal to person may occur by direct contact with an infected animal and are not generally passed from one person to another.
• Ringworm transmission from soil to person usually arises when working in infected soil but are sometimes transferred from an infected animal.
  

How do you get ringworm?

You can get ringworm infection by direct physical, skin-to-skin contact, touching a person’s infected area or caress an infected pet, as cat, dog, guinea pig or horse, cattle. Very rarely, direct contact with infected soil may lead to ringworm infection.

As fungi thrive in warm, dark and moist environments - any similar condition will enhance its spreading. Basically hot and moist climate is favourable for ringworm fungi. Therefore, ringworm infection is more common in hot climate areas. Skin folds of the body, especially if they are sweaty are great thriving places for ringworm. But communal baths, shower floors and walls, swimming pool areas, locker rooms in any climate are prime culture for ringworm fungi and you are more likely to get ringworm infection there.

The presence of ringworm fungi is only one factor of the infection. The other factor is the resistance of the skin. You can get ringworm infection only if the normal resistance of the skin is disturbed or is weaker. Immune resistance is always a key factor in any type of infection. Also, an important feature is the healthy, acidic pH (around pH4) of our skin, which builds a protective barrier against any type of infection. Supporting the healthy acidity of your skin is a wise method of prevention for infections.

How long is ringworm contagious?

Officially, after 2 or 3 days of treatment, ringworm is not contagious at all. The child does not have to miss school or day care.

 

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More about ringworm:

What is ringworm?

Ringworm symptoms

What does ringworm look like? /Ringworm pictures

How to treat ringworm? /Cure for ringworm

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